Amanda PhillipsYou Won’t Believe What You Can Do On A Cruise
What do you picture when you think of a cruise ship?
Do you think of the minimalistic ferry your parents took you on when you were a kid? Or do you picture yourself bored in your room itching to get to shore so you have something to do?
If so, cruising is a lot more eclectic than what you’re imagining. Cruise companies are coming up with hi-tech innovations every year to keep customers entertained and many cruise ships have more amenities than an average suburb. When was the last time your local town hall had a sky-diving simulator?
1. Surf the waves
While almost all cruise ships come with a water zone, many cruise ships include the added bonus of a surf-simulator. Experienced surfers can get their fix and beginners can get some practice in before the ship docks at the next beach.
2. Play a round of golf
If your Saturday is usually spent practising your swing at the golf club or you always book a hotel with a small course nearby, you’ll be glad to know you can still have some practice at the onboard mini-golf course.
3. Chase your kids in the dodgems
If you’re onboard a cruise with your smaller partners in crime, there’s never a shortage of family activities. Child-friendly pools come as standard on most cruises, but there’s a lot more to keep kids entertained such as the sports court aboard Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas that can be used for basket ball, volleyball and even dodgems.
4. Go for a morning jog
Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you have to skip your morning jog. If going for a run with the sunrise is part of your routine, the Independence of the Seas ship has a dedicated jogging platform that takes runners on a perimeter tour of the ship.
5. Watch the latest blockbuster
If you’ve booked to go on a cruise at the same time as the newest blockbuster you want to see, you can still catch it on-board. On some ships, you can even watch it in 3D!
6. Attend an art auction
While you might have imagined a cruise ship having a few shops with only bric-a-brac souvenirs, some cruise lines actually have the chance to pick up a work of art at an auction. If your living room is looking like it could do with a new painting, a cruise ship is a surprising place to pick one up.
7. Win big at poker
Casinos are a common entertainment facility aboard a cruise ship. If you’re feeling lucky, head along and try your hand at a wide range of casino games.
8. Borrow your next book
If you finished your current holiday book while relaxing by the pool, and are requiring a new literary fix, head down to the library and check-out a new read. Also a designated quiet area, it’s a chance to unwind and relax with a selection of fiction and non-fiction reads.
9. Eat at a different restaurant every night
Foodies who let their stomachs do the thinking when booking a holiday will be glad to know their taste-buds will be spoilt for choice. On board most cruise ships there are multiple restaurants and cafés, many of which are brand names from Jamie’s Italian to Ben and Jerry’s. Even the fussiest of eaters will find something amongst the rows of restaurants, cafés and bistros.
10. Find out what a skydiving simulator is
Getting back to that sky-diving simulator. If you don’t fancy jumping out a plane but do want to hover in mid-air (or maybe want to take baby steps to the real thing), a sky-simulator is exactly that. The Anthem of the Seas ship from Royal Caribbean includes the Ripcord by iFly technology where guests can experience the thrill of skydiving in a controlled and safe environment.
Have we convinced you that you won’t get cabin fever on a cruise ship? Maybe this video will help sway you.